Relegation battle takes center stage in England

There are five teams left that are still battling relegation as the Premiership campaign comes to a close on Sunday.

Two of those teams, Wolverhampton and Blackburn, will be facing each other at Molineux Stadium with both sides one point clear of the drop zone, while things will be very nervy for three other teams level on 39 points.

Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan will each be on the road on Sunday, with Blackpool traveling to champions Manchester United, Wigan invading Stoke City and Birmingham visiting White Hart Lane to face Tottenham.

Only West Bromwich has been able to leave Old Trafford with a point this season in league play, which would spell trouble for Blackpool. But the fact that United has already secured the title and will be playing Barcelona in the Champions League final six days later could work in the Tangerines favor.

United manger Sir Alex Ferguson has already revealed ahead of Sunday’s match that he will be playing some of his first-team regulars with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defender Patrice Evra, midfielder Paul Scholes and striker Dimitar Berbatov each expected to feature.

Ian Holloway’s men are in position to survive the drop after a 4-3 win over Bolton last time out, while Birmingham is limping to the finish with just one point from its last five games.

Birmingham may also have the toughest opponent to face on Sunday with Tottenham sitting one point clear of Liverpool for the final Europa League spot and needing a win to lock up fifth place.

Wigan has also been in good form with five points from its last three games, including a dramatic 3-2 comeback win against West Ham that saw the Latics fall behind by two goals before rallying for the win.

And in Stoke City, Wigan may also get a break as the Potters are sitting in the middle of the table and just playing out the final match.

Manchester City can secure third place if the Citizens get three points from their trip to Bolton, while Arsenal travels to Fulham needing a win or a draw plus a City defeat to have any chance at escaping fourth place and going through the qualification stage of the Champions League.

Chelsea is second and takes on Everton at Goodison Park, Liverpool visits Aston Villa with the Reds one point back of Spurs for fifth, West Bromwich and Newcastle meet up at St James’ Park, and Sunderland takes on a West Ham side that has already been assured of relegation.